Mvsica (Music)
1538
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1538
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Mvsica (Music) is a 1538 ink by Virgil Solis, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a woman playing a violin while a cherub holds sheet music. Around them, swirling clouds and ornate scrolls fill the sky. At the top, the word "Mvsica" is written in bold letters, and below, a small town sits on a hill. The artist packed a lot of detail into the lines—every leaf and fold of fabric is drawn with sharp precision. This kind of intricate linework is how the artist made the scene feel alive. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved images into metal.
